Times writes about Hoboken’s car sharing initiative
HOBOKEN – Hoboken’s been in the New York and national media several times in the past two weeks – for the school district (see hudsonreporter.com), for tech meetups, for a poll saying it’s a great place for single, rich folks. Now, the New York Times is looking at the city’s two-year-old car sharing program.
The program allows Hertz to park 42 rental cars on the street, and people can go to the Hertz Corner Cars website and rent them by the hour.
The Times notes that the program seems successful, because a quarter of the program’s users say it has encouraged them to either give up their cars or not buy a car, which is what the city was going for – more parking.
The story also says that some people have doubts about the program, and quotes Councilman Tim Occhipinti and a woman who works here.
The story starts off, “It has been more than two years since officials in this parking-starved city placed a counterintuitive bet: Hoboken would create parking spaces, they said, by taking them away. As of July 2012, nearly a quarter of the Corner Car program’s roughly 3,000 members said they had given up their cars or decided against buying one because of the car share.
“At the beginning of the program, 42 of the city’s roughly 9,000 on-street spaces were sacrificed to a city car-sharing program, known as Corner Cars…”
What do you think of the program? Got a comment on other issues in Hoboken? Write editorial@hudsonreporter.com or comment at hudsonreporter.com.
Walk to end Alzheimer’s
The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Jersey City and Hudson County area residents to participate in a scenic three-mile walk in Liberty State Park on Saturday, Sept. 22. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the main terminal.
Opening ceremonies will include a special memorial and honorary tribute to all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
This year’s walk, which is taking place a month earlier than in previous years, is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants. Walkers also will have the opportunity to learn more about the disease and its effect on members of the community.
It is estimated that there are currently more than 350,000 individuals and their care partners in New Jersey struggling to cope with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Headquartered in Denville with regional offices in Oradell, Princeton and Red Bank, the Alzheimer’s Association offers education and training, support groups, respite care assistance, and a 24-hour, toll-free telephone Helpline. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease or the Alzheimer’s Association, please call 1.800-272-3900, or visit the Web site at www.alz.org/nj.
The walk will include an appearance from CBS 2 meteorologist John Elliot and music from singer/songwriter Loretta Hagen.
To register, visit www.alz.org/walk or call 201) 261-6009.
New options for culinary degree at HCCC
The renowned Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is now offering a specialized option for students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Beginning with this term, students at HCCC may pursue an A.A.S. Culinary Arts degree with a specialization in Baking & Pastry that will prepare them for immediate entry-level employment in the food service/hospitality industry.
“Eight new courses were developed for this degree option,” said HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert.
The A.A.S. in Baking & Pastry program affords students the same first semester classes as others in the College’s Culinary Arts degree programs. However, in the second, third and fourth semesters, Baking & Pastry degree students will focus on baking and pastry classes such as Introduction to Professional Baking; Bakeshop I and II; Tarts, Tortes & Gateaux; Advanced Bakeshop III and IV; Meringues, Soufflés, & Frozen Desserts; Desserts for Restaurants & In-Store Retail; and Petit Fours, Mignardise & Candies. Students pursuing this course of study may also take other optional electives such as Specialized Baking/Pastries for Dietary Restrictions, Wedding & Sculpted Cakes, and Chocolate & Sugar.
Paul Dillon, Associate Dean of Business, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, explained that the program relies heavily on hands-on learning in the state-of-the-art HCCC Culinary Arts Institute labs. “Our students learn the best techniques – classical and new – in some of the best designed and best equipped kitchens anywhere. Most importantly, they are learning from professionals with years of experience in the industry,” he said. In addition to their classroom learning, the students in the Baking & Pastry program A.A.S. program also serves internships in fine restaurants and hotels.
Complete information about the College’s new A.A.S. Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Option program may be obtained by contacting Janine Nunez at (201) 360-4640 or emailing jnunez@hccc.edu.
Child advocate volunteers wanted
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges, and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, call (201) 795-9855, email mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
JCMC offers classes on prenatal childbirth, breastfeeding
Jersey City Medical Center will continue to hold prenatal child birth education and breastfeeding classes through the end of the year. The hospital will also begin tours of the maternity unit on the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m. and each Saturday during the rest of month at 12 p.m. A breastfeeding support group is held monthly at 11 a.m.
Prenatal childbirth classes will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. in the hospital’s 4 East conference room every Wednesday in September.
The classes will feature a combination lecture and movie presentation with topics that include: Third Trimester Changes, Signs and Symptoms of Labor; Labor and Delivery “What to Expect;” Pain Management, Post Birth Healing, Infant Care and Breast Feeding Tips; and a tour of Labor and Delivery/Postpartum. Refreshments will be served, but it is recommended that attendees eat before coming to class. The fee for the course is $125 per couple. Registration forms and payments must be received two weeks prior to the first class date.
Prenatal breastfeeding classes will also be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the hospital’s 4 East conference room with a lecture and movie presentation. Summer classes are Aug. 22 and Sept. 20. Topics include How Breastfeeding Works; Latching On and Positioning; When To Feed Your Baby; How Much Is Enough; and Breast Care. The cost for this class is $25 per couple. Registration forms must be filled out prior to the class date.
To register for either class, please contact coordinator April Major at (201) 521-5900.